The weeks are passing by so quickly–everyday it gets darker a bit earlier, and a littler cooler than it was before.  Brooches are not a top pick for many jewelry collectors and they were never my favorite.  It was only until my first purchase of this Victorian brooch with enameling that I became an overnight fan. I like the immense versatility of brooches–you can seriously pin them anywhere you’d like.  So far I’ve used mine on button up shirts, to close a cardigan, pinned to a suede headband, and on purses (like above).  I’ve seen tiny Victorian bar pins that I think are so beautiful, I am on the hunt!

Do any of you have bar pins?  Any bar pin collectors out there?

My Pick of the Week:

The Fulvia ring from Wendy Brandes’ Jewelry Collection. This ring is done in 18k yellow gold with an exquisite 6.5 carat green tourmaline. Anyone who would wear this ring would put me under a spell–I wouldn’t be able to take my eyes off of it! I love the architectural design of the ring, it goes so well with the tourmaline’s cut and color. Price: $5000

My eBay Pick of the Week:

I’ve had my eye on necklaces of this style: sort of like a bib but not that drastic. This one is from eBay seller: doverjewelry whom I’ve purchased from before, very reputable. The necklace is done in 14k rose gold with a single buttercup set diamond. Love the filigree work (sidenote: you can have a fun time typing in keyword: filigree into eBay). Only thing, I wish the necklace length were a bit longer. Wonder who the lucky high bidder will be?!

Haven’t looked at eBay in awhile! I think it is because I am still mad at their changes, especially the high costs of seller’s fees. My dad had me list his Girard-Perregaux wristwatch, and it cost $45 just to list it! And it did not even sell! Anyways, I think I’ve found a new seller to add to my favorites list, beverlyhillsantiques.com They have some really pretty antique stick pins and bar pins. Here are a few stick pins that are ending this week. A few things you could do with a stick pin: stick it in an updo in your hair, take it to a jeweler and remove the stick and make a pendant out of it, or secure your trendy scarf with a beautiful platinum & diamond stick pin!

This stick pin is decked out in platinum and 18k gold. The sapphires, diamonds and filigree work make this piece stunning. I could see this used to secure a scarf that is wrapped around your neck. The starting bid is $223.

You’re looking at a half carat in this pear-shaped diamond, with a pearl attached to the end. This one is in platinum and 18k gold as well. I could picture this one being poked into a sleek updo. Starting bid is $493.

This bird is encrusted in diamonds that are rose cut and sees with ruby eyes. With this stickpin, I would turn into a pendant at a local jewelry store. You could remove the stick part and use that gold to sell as scrap. Then, a jeweler could easily make the bird into a pendant. The starting bid is $385.

You may have thought stickpins don’t have much use–but hopefully my ideas will inspire you!

Searching on eBay for jewelry can be fun and exciting.  It is like having an antique mall at your fingertips–and a very large one at that!  I usually look every other day, using the categories: Jewelry & Watches > Vintage, Antique > Fine > Diamonds.  From there, you can narrow your search even more by choosing a specific time period, like Art Nouveau or Edwardian.  Since I don’t have a favorite time period, I usually leave it broad.    This week’s top picks come from member: ashland_investments.  Both are lots of vintage bar pins, which are in excellent condition and at a great price.  I like the sapphire and diamond ones.  I might have to make an offer on these!

A great idea to wear these vintage bar pins is for all the brides-to-be out there.  If you have a silk ribbon or sash going around your waist of your wedding dress, pin one of these to the very front or even in the back.  It will look stunning and it could even work for “something old.”